Lap-ring



(No Model.)

J. L. MATTHEWS.

LAP RING.

Patented, Oct. 26,1881.

Unrarnn mares Harem Fries.

JAMES MATTHEWS, OF CANTON, TEXAS.

LAP-RING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 248,771, dated October 25, 1881.

Application filed May 7, 1881. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, J. L. MATTHEWS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Canton, in the county of Van Zandt and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in LapRings or Lap-Links; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form a partofthis speci fication.

In Figure 1, A is a perspective view of my lap ring or link, and B is a perspective view of the lap. O is an opening sufficiently large to allow a link, a clevis, or a harness-ring to pass through it. D represents a slot in the round or foot of the ring for the insertion of thetenon E on lap 13, which, when secured by means of the rivet or bolt F, form a hinge. G and II represent two arms, one on the main body of link A and the other on the lap B.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of my lap ring or link, with the lap thrown open on its pivot or hinge, ready to receive the ends of chains or other links.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lap ring or link as it appears when closed.

My lap ring or link is constructed as follows: I make the body of the ring round, or nearly so, and in shape oval. In one side of this oblong ring or link, and equidistant from either end, I cut away part of the body of the ring, making an opening sufficiently large to allow the link of a chain, single or double tree ring, or other hari'iess-fastening, to be passed through it over the foot of the ring and into the hook thereof. Then equidistant from either end I project an arm or triangular lug, G, which reaches half the distance from one inner side of the ring to the other, which arm is made the same thickness of the ring and about one-sixth as wide as the ring is long. Then, commencing on the unbroken side of the ring and equidistant from either end, I cut off the upper side of one entire end-say about onefourth as deep as the diameter of the body of the ring-making the upper side of this half perfectly flat and smooth, or I cast the ring with such a recess. Then I cut a slot, D,

through the round foot of the ring, perpendicular in relation to the sides thereof, to receive tenon E of lap B, which tenon is also cut perpendicular in relation to the side of the lap and of such size as to exactly fit neatly into slot D. I make the lap extending from its tenon the same size as the ring until the space 0 is filled up. Then I cut away the under side of the same-say about threetourths-until the part left will exactly fill up and replace the part shaven ofi of the ring, and all so fitted and coincided that whenjoined together the ring is the same size all the way around, without spaces for inserted links or ring to catch in. From the large or cylindrical part of this lap I project an arm, H, just opposite to and the same size as arm G, above described, which projects inwardly until it meets said arm or triangular lug G, and I cause their ends to fit and coincide so perfectly as to make one unbroken bar extending across the link. Then I secure the tenon in the slot by means of a rivet or bolt, and the lap ring or link is complete.

This ring or link is intended to be a ready and secure means by which any broken chain can be immediately repaired, or the ends of two chains joined, or to connect a single-tree 0r double-tree to a plow-beam or wagon, ,or to connect any two things usually connected by the common lap-ring or open link.

In using the link first raise the lap, as shown in Fig. 3. Pass the connecting link or ring over foot J and arm H into hook K, Fig. 2. Then pass the other link or ring over the same foot, bring it up into the angle L, Fig. 3, made by arm H and the body of the ring, hold it on a line with a or, close the lap, and the two links are secure, one on either side of the cross-bar formed by arms G and H.

I claim- Alap ringor link consisting of the C-shaped part A, recessed at one end, having vertical slot 1) and triangular lug G, in combination with the semi-cylindrical U-shaped part B, having tenon F and corresponding lug, H, pivoted together in the manner described, and for the purposes set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES LEVI MATTHEWS.

Witnesses:

A. W. MEREDITH, T. J. FosTER. 

